For many individuals, a military career becomes a lifelong endeavor. For others, it serves as a launching pad for entrepreneurial ventures. Veterans Shelby Dziwulski, Raquel Riley Thomas, and Aubrey Carlson leveraged their honed military abilities—such as discipline, hard work, and teamwork—to achieve entrepreneurial success. Their businesses represent a fraction of over 5% of U.S. ventures that are veteran-owned, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Discover more about their paths to triumph.
Transiting from the U.S. Naval Academy to a luxury travel consultancy
Growing up alongside the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Shelby Dziwulski often frequented the area on weekends with her family. She had aspirations of becoming a Navy pilot and was a regular viewer of the film Top Gun.
When college beckoned, Dziwulski accepted a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship at the University of Maryland before enrolling in flight school. “I received my wings in 2015,” Dziwulski states. Although her service as a Navy search and rescue pilot was demanding, she regarded it as a “very rewarding experience.”
During her deployments to various ports, she discovered intriguing places to stay—like a refurbished Airstream beachfront property in Australia. “My squadron colleagues started to take notice and asked, ‘How do you come across these places?’” This inspired her to establish Authenteco Travel, a company dedicated to helping others find distinctive accommodations during their travels.
Initially, she catered primarily to military personnel who required guidance in dealing with military travel regulations. Over time, she expanded her services to cater to other travelers with unique needs, like those with medical conditions or disabilities. Dziwulski’s clientele now includes a diverse assortment of individuals and requests.
She attributes her persistence to her military training, which has been instrumental in her success as a business owner. As an entrepreneur, she labored 16 to 18 hours a day for three continuous years, including weekends. Her Navy experience equipped her to endure tough times. “Without my military background, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I did with Authenteco,” she asserts.
Dziwulski believes mentors can be beneficial when forging your own path, but they cannot resolve every issue you might encounter. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your individual insight: “No one’s guidance holds as much weight as your own instincts,” she states.
Journeying from the U.S. Army to a media and entertainment empire
Raised in a military-oriented family, Raquel Riley Thomas sought to “continue the legacy” by enlisting in the U.S. Army. Initially, she intended to gain experience before pursuing a college education. “However, I enjoyed it so immensely that I eventually decided to stay,” says Thomas. She later attended Hampton University on an ROTC scholarship and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 2002 as an ordnance officer, attaining the rank of captain.
In 2009, her three-year-old daughter posed a question that transformed her life: “Why aren’t there any princesses who resemble me?” In reference to being a person of color, this question propelled Riley Thomas to join a beauty pageant aimed at altering the narrative and becoming a role model for her daughter. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to win this pageant. And I will present the crown to my daughter so she knows there is a princess who looks like her,’” she recalls.
Riley Thomas indeed won the Mrs. Maryland America pageant, moving on to the national stage. “I became the first African American to achieve the first runner-up position in the over 40 years of that pageant’s existence,” she states. Post-competition, she became the second Black judge in its history. “I was making some history without even realizing it at the time,” she recalls. “I loved the sense of community, which reminded me of my military days.”
She acquired the Mrs. America franchise in Washington, D.C., followed by branches in Pennsylvania and Delaware, which led her to create An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC. “We started as a production firm focused on public relations and later evolved into a talent management company,” she notes.
Her military experience molded her ability to organize and maintain focus in her enterprise. “It teaches you to concentrate on the task at hand,” she explains. The military also capitalizes on your strengths; Riley Thomas employs this tactic in her business as well. “I collaborate with experts from diverse backgrounds, which is key to building our exceptional team,” she points out.
If you aim to launch a business, Riley Thomas advises formulating a budget and delving into research regarding the industry you intend to join. “Learn from those who have paved the way before you,” she recommends.
Transitioning from a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot to the hospitality sector
Aubrey Carlson grew up on a farm in Illinois and aspired to pursue higher education. However, as her parents couldn’t afford tuition, she chose to pursue a full-cost ROTC scholarship at the University of Maryland. Upon graduation, the ROTC scholarship obligates one to serve in the military.
Selecting a military specialty was challenging for her due to her limited understanding. “I had no military knowledge,” she admits. In her small hometown, she had only seen women in “ordinary occupations.”
“I was completely unaware that women were allowed to pilot,” she explains. “That option just never crossed my mind.” Once she became aware of this possibility, she thought it was fascinating, igniting her passion to pursue it.
As she entered flight school, Carlson soon grasped the importance of eliminating fear and placing trust in her instructors and herself. Despite minimal military and aviation knowledge, the thrill of flying captivated her, driving her towards achievement. Fortunately, it was an ability that came “fairly easily” to her, though it also posed the greatest challenge she had ever faced.
In retrospect, Carlson cherished her time as a Navy helicopter pilot, traveling globally and forming lasting friendships. “The greatest advantage of my decade-long career as a Naval aviator was the confidence it instilled in me,” she reflects. Despite her fulfilling experience, when her service contract concluded, she opted for a different career direction. While uncertain about her next move, she was resolute about one thing: “I refuse to write a resume,” she remarked, signaling her desire to become an entrepreneur.
Following various ventures in the food industry, she transitioned into real estate, renovating a dilapidated property alongside her fiancé. “That truly ignited our passion, and we took a real estate course from another military veteran,” she states. Their business grew through purchasing and refurbishing properties, then leasing them as short-term vacation rentals. Others admired her aesthetic in their rentals, leading to inquiries like, “Could you design my place?” Thus, in addition to managing the properties, she now provides design services through her business, Salt and Sky Lodging Co., co-owned with her fiancé, Brad Hylton.
If you find yourself dissatisfied with your existing business and it fails to meet your expectations, Carlson advises that trying anew is perfectly acceptable. She and her fiancé explored multiple business avenues before discovering a niche in the short-term vacation rental market. Her design approach is centered on eco-friendly materials, including kitchenware, toiletries, and recycled items. “I plan to operate in line with my lifestyle—responsibly regarding the environment,” she asserts.
Carlson’s military background facilitated her success as a business owner. “The first rental property we acquired—it turned out to be a disaster,” she recounts. “Had we given up then, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Throughout her service, she learned the importance of perseverance in the face of setbacks, a lesson crucial for navigating obstacles. She attributes her resilience and adaptability, instilled by her military training, as keys to her business success.
